A young Northern Ireland fan who died while following his team in France will be buried hours before the match against Wales.

Darren Rodgers , 24 and from Ballymena, Co Antrim, was killed in a fall as he walked home just hours after watching Northern Ireland play Poland in Nice.

The devoted supporter, affectionately known as Dar Dar to his mates, had been planning to attend all the side's games in France.

Tragically only-child Darren will be laid to rest in his hometown just hours before his heroes take to the field against Wales.

Mr Rodgers's father, Paul Rodgers, said: "The sheer amount of love, goodwill and outpouring of grief has left us with memories that will live with us the rest of our lives.

"To all the supporters from every country who have left mementos, shirts, scarves, flags and messages of love and support at the site of Darren's accident we can never express how much all of this means to us."

Irish Football Association boss Patrick Nelson said: "The young lad came out to watch some games of football, part of a huge movement from Northern Ireland, a very joyous movement, and it's a tragedy for his family and his friends."